Process for Using a Composition of Matter

ABSTRACT

A process for making and using a ground product that includes the step of: forming a guar-based derivative. The process includes treating the derivative to form a ground product, and mixing the ground product into a water or slickwater stream to form a frac fluid. The process includes injecting the frac fluid into a subterranean formation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-provisional applicationSer. No. 16/230,704, filed on Dec. 21, 2018, which is a bypasscontinuation of PCT Application Ser. No. PCT/US18/36127, filed on Jun.5, 2018. The disclosure of each application is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

This disclosure relates to making and/or using a composition of matteruseful to improve performance of hydraulic fracturing. Particularembodiments pertain to making and/or using a natural polymer-basedadditive, which may be useful as a friction reducer in a high-brinesolution used in fracking.

Background of the Disclosure

In a stimulation process, such as frac operation, a frac fluid (withvarying additives) may be injected into a subterranean formation. Insuch an operation a large amount of frac fluid is pumped down a wellboreunder high pressure to a depth of anywhere from 1000 feet to 20,000 feetor more, which results in fractures of the surrounding rock formation.The pressure is then relieved allowing valuable hydrocarbonaceous fluidsto permeate out through the fractures and into the wellbore, where thefluids can be produced to a surface unit or facility.

Turbulence produced as the frac fluid is pumped through a tubular underpressure results in friction, which increases (in some instances,significantly) the amount of energy required to pump the injection fluidat sufficient speed and pressure.

Additives, including those of a polymeric nature, can be used to alterthe rheological properties of the frac fluid so that friction isreduced, thereby reducing consequent energy loss. This type of additive(or combination of ingredients) is conventionally known as a ‘frictionreducer’. Friction reducers have a wide range of variation in terms ofcomposition, utility, characteristics, and so forth. But in general agood friction reducer will result in a decrease in friction at smallconcentrations, will be inexpensive, environmentally approved, and willhave high-shear, temperature, and pressure stability.

Various polymers can be used in friction reducers, some being betterthan others, and the selection of which being further dependent onfactors such as formation type and the type of fluid (usually water)available for injection fluid.

A friction reducer does not directly make it easier to produce formationfluids; instead, it typically helps get more frac fluid (and/orproppant) into the formation fractures, and reduces the overall energyrequirement of the injection process. The reduction in friction meansthe same energy output can pump more frac fluid into the formation,which means more proppant/sand can be introduced into the fractures (tohold open), and thus more formation fluid (liquid, gas) can permeate outof the formation and into the wellbore.

An additive to frac fluid can also be useful for increasing theviscosity (or carrying capacity) of the frac fluid. This type ofadditive typically results in the frac fluid having a higher gelstrength in order to carry more sand/proppant. Such additives are usedto increase overall operation efficiency, meaning less water, lessenergy, less stress on equipment, smaller equipment, and so forth, toobtain a similar or better result.

Thus, there are significant technical differences in function andpurpose between a material used to build viscosity, and that of whichreduces friction (or in some instances accomplishes both).

The composition of the additive and choice thereof is thus dependent onwhat type of function is desired, as well as other variables such asformation properties and the water source. While fresh water may beused, the cost may be high such that other options are considered,including produced water from the formation or previously used water(flowback, recycle, etc.). Whatever the case may be, the water and anycontaminants therein can have detrimental effects on additives.

In some instances, a synthetic polymer-based additive may be desired.This type of additive tends to be uncrosslinked and may provide betterfriction reducing ability, particularly if fresh or cleaner water isavailable. A common practice is to use a synthetic polymer additivemixed with water to make a frac fluid called “slickwater”.

In some instances, a natural polymer-based additive may be desired, suchas a guar-based additive. These types of additives tend to bedegradable, and better suited for environmental disposal. They tend tobe cross-linked. A cross-linked polymer tends to be stronger, and bettersuited to handle harsher water choices, including salt- or oil-ladenedproduced water. Natural polymers tend to be selected for their viscositybuilding ability.

Guar gum has diverse industrial uses including its use as a thickenerand/or stabilizer in the textile, food, cosmetic and pharmaceuticalindustries, and has been given consideration for varied use in the oiland gas industry.

Guar gum comes from a legume-type plant that produces a pod with seedsinside. Upon heating, the seeds ‘split’ open and expose two endospermsections, and the germ therebetween. The exposed endosperm sectionscontain a polymer known as polygalactomannan, or ‘gum’. The gum iscontained in tiny cells having a water-insoluble cell wall, which may bedisrupted to obtain the material, which is usually via some kind ofprocessing in the form of dehusking, milling, screening, roasting,differential attrition, sieving, polishing and so forth. The remnantmaterial is substantially gum, possibly with minor amounts ofproteinaceous material, inorganic salts, water-insoluble gum, cellmembranes, as well as some residual seedcoat and embryo, which can befurther processed and separated.

This resultant gum material develops a high viscosity via hydration ofthe fluid to be thickened, similar to the action of starch; however, theguar endosperm polymer is much more efficient than starch in developingviscosity.

Guar derivatives are also useful, such as hydroxyalkyl guar,carboxyalkyl guar, carboxyalkyl hydroxyalkyl guar, cationic guar,hydrophobically modified guar, and hydroxypropyl guar (or “HPG”).

Other guar and guar derivative applications include, among others,animal litter, explosives, foodstuff, paperstock, synthetic fuelbriquettes, shampoo, personal care lotion, household cleaner, diapers,sanitary towels, and adsorbent in food packaging. In such applications,it is known that faster hydration of the guar or guar derivative for anyof these applications would be an advantage.

Conventionally linear (no cross-linking), hydrated HPG tends to havecharacteristics that make it commercially viable in industry forviscosity building. Whereas for friction reducing, particularly forfresh(er) water applications, polyacrylamides have characteristics(e.g., crosslinking) that tend to be viewed as commercially viable. Insuch an application, HPG is not viewed as commercially practicable orviewed as workable.

However, in certain uses polyacrylamides lose their effectiveness. Forexample, when high-brine fluids are used, polyacrylamides typicallyfail. An example of a high-brine fluid is a variant of produced water.The high amount of salt in brine, and particularly high-brine, resultsin the salt attacking the polyacrylamide via ionic attraction, with thepolymer collapsing and becoming ineffective.

Polyacrylamides also have hydration, storage, and transport problems.First, polyacrylamides are large molecules, which means great amounts ofenergy and equipment are needed in order to hydrate. Next, while powderstend to be a preferred medium because of ease of transport and storage,dry polyacrylamide tends to be prone to clumping and absorbing moisture.This is attributable to particle size, meaning in order to have desiredfriction reducing effects, the polyacrylamide needs to have fasthydration. To achieve fast hydration, the particle size is smaller;however, smaller particle size results in undesired hydration instorage. Thus, polyacrylamide systems have been largely relegated to useliquid carriers and solvents, which results in higher storage andtransport costs.

There is a need in the art for a composition of matter that has fasthydration characteristics that can also be readily storable andtransportable in powder form. There is a need for a composition ofmatter for use as an additive into a frac fluid that can be bothfriction reducing and viscosity building, or better at one or the otherwith slight compositional change. There is a need in the art for acost-effective, expedient, and scalable process that can be used to makea composition of matter for use as an additive into a frac fluid. Whatis further needed is a natural polymer-based material that can be usedwith high brine solutions.

SUMMARY

Embodiments herein may be useful for a process for making and/or using aground product composition of matter that may include a guar-basedmaterial.

The process may include forming the composition via one or morepre-treatment steps. One or more steps may include: reacting a guarsplit with at least one reagent at a reaction temperature in a range of120° F. to 180° F. to form a guar derivative; and treating the guarderivative with at least one of washing and drying to form a resultanttreated derivative.

The process may include a transfer step, such as transferring theresultant treated derivative to a co-grinder operably associated with aheated vacuum system. The process may include co-grinding the resultanttreated derivative with a powdered acid to form a ground product.

The reacting step may occur in a substantially oxygen-free environment.A reaction time of the reacting step may be in a reaction time range ofabout 1.5 hours to about 2.5 hours.

The reacting step may include use of sodium hydroxide. The reagent maybe propylene oxide. The powdered acid may be a carboxylic acid.

The process may include mixing the ground product with a high-brinewater stream. The water stream may have a salinity value in the range ofabout 100,000 ppm to about 300,000 ppm total dissolved solids (TDS).

The mixing step may include the ground product in substantially powderedform.

The mixing step comprises the ground product in slurry or liquidiousform.

The ground product may be characterized by at least 90% by weight of agiven quantity thereof having an average particle bulk diameter lessthan or equal to 74 microns.

In aspects, the heated vacuum system may include one or more of acombustion burner; a micropulsair dust collector configured for use as adryer; and a blower configured for pulling a vacuum.

In aspects, the heated vacuum system may include various operatingparameters such as one or more of an average operating combustiontemperature output of about 600° F., a grinder exhaust temperature in arange of about 175° F. to about 185° F., and a dust collector exhausttemperature range of about 170° F. to about 175° F.

The ground product may be (or have a characteristic of being) hydratedat least about 80% in about one minute or less.

Other embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a process for makingand/or using a ground product composition that may include one or moresteps of: reacting a guar split with propylene oxide at a reactiontemperature in a range of 120° F. to 180° F. to form a guar derivative;and treating the guar derivative with at least one of washing and dryingto form a resultant treated derivative.

The process may include transferring the resultant treated derivative toa co-grinder operably associated with a heated vacuum system. Theprocess may include co-grinding the resultant treated derivative with apowdered carboxylic acid to form a ground product.

The process may include mixing the ground product with a water stream.The water stream may have a salinity value in the range of about 100,000ppm to about 300,000 ppm total dissolved solids (TDS).

The reacting step may occur in a substantially oxygen-free environment.

The reaction time wherein a reaction time is in the range of 1.5 hoursto 2.5 hours.

The reacting step may include use of a caustic material.

The mixing step may include the ground product in powdered form. Thepowdered form may be substantially dry.

The mixing step may include the ground product in slurry or liquidiousform. Thus, the ground product may be mixed with one or more liquidiousagents.

The ground product may be characterized by or have the physical propertyof at least 90% by weight of a given quantity thereof having an averageparticle bulk diameter less than or equal to 74 microns.

In aspects, the heated vacuum system may include one or more of: acombustion burner; a micropulsair dust collector configured for use as adryer; and a blower configured for pulling a vacuum.

The heated vacuum system may have various operable parameters, includingone or more of: an average operating combustion temperature output ofabout 600° F., a grinder exhaust temperature in a range of about 175° F.to about 185° F., and a dust collector exhaust temperature range ofabout 170° F. to about 175° F.

The ground product may be (or have the physical property of being)hydrated at least about 80% in about one minute or less.

The process may include pumping a resultant mixture of the water streamand the ground product into a wellbore.

These and other embodiments, features and advantages will be apparent inthe following detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of embodiments disclosed herein is obtained fromthe detailed description of the disclosure presented herein below, andthe accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration onlyand are not intended to be limitative of the present embodiments, andwherein:

FIG. 1 shows an overview flow diagram of a process for making and/orusing a composition of matter according to embodiments of thedisclosure; and

FIG. 2 shows a process flow diagram of a system for making and/.or usinga composition of matter according to embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Herein disclosed are novel apparatuses, systems, and methods thatpertain to a polymeric-based additive for use in wellbore fluid, detailsof which are described herein. It has been discovered that a naturalpolymer.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail withreference to the accompanying Figures. In the following discussion andin the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in anopen-ended fashion, such as to mean, for example, “including, but notlimited to . . . ”. While the disclosure may be described with referenceto relevant apparatuses, systems, and methods, it should be understoodthat the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments shown ordescribed. Rather, one skilled in the art will appreciate that a varietyof configurations may be implemented in accordance with embodimentsherein.

Although not necessary, like elements in the various figures may bedenoted by like reference numerals for consistency and ease ofunderstanding. Numerous specific details are set forth in order toprovide a more thorough understanding of the disclosure; however, itwill be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that theembodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known features have not been describedin detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.Directional terms, such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,”“back,” etc., are used for convenience and to refer to general directionand/or orientation, and are only intended for illustrative purposesonly, and not to limit the disclosure.

Connection(s), couplings, or other forms of contact between parts,components, and so forth may include conventional items, such aslubricant, additional sealing materials, such as a gasket betweenflanges, PTFE between threads, and the like. The make and manufacture ofany particular component, subcomponent, etc., may be as would beapparent to one of skill in the art, such as molding, forming, pressextrusion, machining, or additive manufacturing. Embodiments of thedisclosure provide for one or more components to be new, used, and/orretrofitted to existing machines and systems.

Various equipment may be in fluid communication directly or indirectlywith other equipment. Fluid communication may occur via one or moretransfer lines and respective connectors, couplings, valving, and soforth. One or more valves may need to be opened so that respectivecomponents transfer into the gun assembly. Fluid movers, such as pumps,may be utilized as would be apparent to one of skill in the art.

Numerical ranges in this disclosure may be approximate, and thus mayinclude values outside of the range unless otherwise indicated.Numerical ranges include all values from and including the expressedlower and the upper values, in increments of smaller units. As anexample, if a compositional, physical or other property, such as, forexample, molecular weight, viscosity, melt index, etc., is from 100 to1,000. it is intended that all individual values, such as 100, 101, 102,etc., and sub ranges, such as 100 to 144, 155 to 170, 197 to 200, etc.,are expressly enumerated. It is intended that decimals or fractionsthereof be included. For ranges containing values which are less thanone or containing fractional numbers greater than one (e.g., 1.1, 1.5,etc.), smaller units may be considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1,etc. as appropriate. These are only examples of what is specificallyintended, and all possible combinations of numerical values between thelowest value and the highest value enumerated, are to be considered tobe expressly stated in this disclosure. Numerical ranges are providedwithin this disclosure for, among other things, the relative amount ofreactants, surfactants, catalysts, etc. by itself or in a mixture ormass, and various temperature and other process parameters.

The term “frac operation” as used herein can refer to fractionation of adownhole well that has already been drilled. ‘Frac operation’ can alsobe referred to and interchangeable with the terms fractionation,hydraulic fracturing, hydrofracturing, hydrofracking, fracking,fraccing, and frac. A frac operation can be land or water based.

The term “frac fluid” as used herein can refer to a fluid injected intoa well as part of a frac operation. Frac fluid is often characterized asbeing largely water, but with other constituents such as proppant,friction reducers, and other additives or compounds. ‘Frac’ can be shortfor fracking, fracturing and other related terms. The term ‘frac fluid’can be analogous to injection fluid, and other comparable terms of theart. The composition of the frac fluid often depends on numerousfactors, with the ultimate goal being to improve the results of the fracoperation and the productivity of the well. This typically occurs fromthe frac fluid being pumped down a wellbore and out into a subterraneanformation in a suitable amount and pressure to cause fracturing in thesurrounding rock.

The term “water” as used herein can refer to the main constituent for afrac fluid, and can include fresh water, seawater, produced water,treated variations thereof, mixes thereof, etc., and can further includeimpurities, dissolved solids, ions, salts, minerals, and so forth. Waterfor the frac fluid can also be referred to as ‘frac water’.

The term “produced water” as used herein can refer to water recoveredfrom a subterranean formation or other area near the wellbore. Producedwater can include ‘flowback water’, which is water recovered from thesubterranean formation after a frac operation.

The term “friction reducer” as used herein can refer to a chemicaladditive that alters fluid rheological properties to reduce frictionassociated with a fluid as it flows through tubulars or similarrestrictions. The use of a friction reducer is intended to, among otherthings, reduce losses attributable to the effects of the friction. Ahypothetical example of ‘loss’ can be the extra energy needed for a pumpto pump a fluid without a friction reducer into a subterranean formationversus the reduced energy needed to pump the same amount of the samefluid having the added friction reducer.

The term “natural polymer-based friction reducer” as used herein canrefer to a friction reducer characterized as having a ‘natural’ polymeras a constituent. A guar-based polymer (and/or copolymer) is an exampleof a natural polymer known to be useful for a friction reducer. Anatural polymer-based friction reducer may have a characteristic ofbeing cross-linked.

The term “synthetic polymer-based friction reducer” as used herein canrefer to a friction reducer characterized as having a ‘synthetic’ orman-made polymer as a constituent. An acrylamide-based polymer (and/orcopolymer) is an example of a synthetic polymer known to be useful for afriction reducer.

The term “crosslinked” as used herein can refer to polymer chains thathave multiple bonds, such as covalent or ionic bonds, linking themtogether. Cross-links in chains can be formed by initiating a chemicalreaction, including with various mediums such as heat, pressure, changein pH, radiation, and so forth. For example, mixing of an unpolymerizedor partially polymerized resin with specific chemicals (e.g.,crosslinking reagents) can result in a chemical reaction that formscross-links.

The term “proppant” as used herein can refer to particulate materialadded to a frac fluid that is ultimately intended to maintain spacebetween in the formed fractures.

The term “slickwater” (or “slick water”) as used herein can refer to afrac fluid having a synthetic polymer-based friction reducer.Conventional slickwater frac fluid solutions can be characterized ashaving lower viscosity and proppant carrying capability, includingsignificantly so.

The term “chemical” as used herein can analogously mean or beinterchangeable to material, chemical material, ingredient, component,chemical component, element, substance, compound, chemical compound,molecule(s), constituent, and so forth and vice versa. Any ‘chemical’discussed in the present disclosure need not refer to a 100% purechemical. For example, although ‘water’ may be thought of as H2O, one ofskill would appreciate various ions, salts, minerals, impurities, andother substances (including at the ppb level) may be present in ‘water’.As used with respect to a chemical, unless specifically indicatedotherwise, the singular includes all isomeric forms and vice versa (forexample, “hexane”, includes all isomers of hexane individually orcollectively).

The term “salt” as used herein can refer to an ionic compound. A saltcan be formed via a neutralization reaction. A salt can be electricallyneutral (i.e., no net charge).

The term “acrylamide” as used herein can be a material identified by CASNumber 79-06-01.

The term “polyacrylamide” (or ‘PAM’) as used herein can be a materialidentified by CAS Number 9003-05-08. PAM can be synthesized as a linearcopolymer, can be crosslinked, and can be part of a copolymer.

The term “monomer” as used herein can refer to a chemical (or materialthereof) characterized as having a molecule (or unit) that can bind toother molecules. Large numbers of monomer units can bind to formpolymers. Small numbers of monomer units can combine to form oligomers.

The term “oligomer” as used herein can refer to a molecular complexhaving a few monomer units (e.g., dimers—two monomers, trimers—threemonomers, tetramers—four monomers, etc.).

The term “polymer” as used herein can refer to large molecule (ormaterial thereof) having linked (bonded) monomer units linked. A polymercan be considered to be a chain of monomer units. A polymer can becomposed of one or more monomers. Copolymers can refer to a molecule (ormaterial thereof) having two monomers. The polymer chain may be linearor branched. A polymer can be anionic, cationic, non-ionic, and in someinstances be a combination. For example, a copolymer may have anionicand cationic properties. ‘Polymer’ may refer to copolymer.

The term “polymeric”, “polymer-based”, and the like can refer to achemical (or material thereof) made of a polymer. “Polymeric-based” asused herein can refer to a chemical or chemical blend (or materialthereof) that includes or has a polymeric constituent as part of itscompositional makeup. The chemical or blend may be referred to as acomposition of matter. The polymeric constituent can be, but need nothave to be, copolymeric.

The term “splits”, “dry splits”, “Guar Gum Split”, “guar gum”, and othercomparable known nomenclature, as used herein can refer to commerciallydry guar splits which contain less than 10% moisture. Splits may containgreater or lesser amounts of hull material, the better quality havingthe lesser amount of hull. Splits can refer to the mucilage found in theseed of the leguminous plant Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba, essentially beingrefined endosperm derived from the guar seed or cluster bean. It is anon-ionic polysaccharide galacomannan.

The term “hydroxypropyl guar” or “HPG” as used herein can refer to aguar derivative, or a material made from guar. HPG can refer to apropylene glycol ether of guar gum.

The term “high-brine” as used herein can refer to a brine solutionhaving between about 100K ppm to about 300K ppm TDS.

Embodiments herein may pertain to a process for making and/or using aground product composition of matter. The process may include a reactoroperated with a reaction temperature range of 120° F. to 180° F. Theguar split and an at least one reagent may be fed to, and reactedwithin, the reactor to form a guar derivative.

The process may include a transfer and treatment section operablycoupled with the reactor. Accordingly, the guar derivative may betreated and/or transferred.

There may be a co-grinder operably associated with the transfer andtreatment section. In aspects, the guar derivative (which may be atreated guar derivative) may be transferred thereto.

The co-grinder may be fed an acid. The co-grinder may operate to grindthe guar derivative and the acid together to form a ground product. Theground product may be characterized by or have the physical property ofat least 90% by weight of a given quantity thereof having an averageparticle bulk diameter less than or equal to 74 microns.

The process may include a heated vacuum system operably associated withthe co-grinder. The heated vacuum system may include one or more of: acombustion burner; a dust collector configured for use as a dryer; and ablower configured for pulling a vacuum.

The reactor may be a batch reactor. The reactor may be operated with abatch reaction time in the range of 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours.

The process may include a caustic feed source comprising a causticmaterial. The caustic feed source may be in communication with thereactor. Accordingly, the caustic material may be fed to the reactor.The acid may be powdered carboxylic acid.

The process may include one or more mixers, which may be (but need notbe) inline or static mixers. The process may thus include such a firstblend mixer. The first blend mixer may be operated to mix the groundproduct (optionally treated prior thereto) with an at least one otherconstituent to form a blend product.

The process may include another mixer, such as a second blend mixer. Thesecond blend mixer operated to mix each of the blend product with awater stream fed thereto. The water stream may have a salinity value inthe range of about 100,000 ppm to about 300,000 ppm total dissolvedsolids (TDS).

In aspects, the ground product may be in substantially dry powderedform. In other aspects, the ground product may be in slurry orliquidious form.

The process may have a plurality of predetermined operating parameters.The process may include the combustion burner operated with a combustiontemperature output of about 400° F. to about 600° F. In aspects, theburner is operated with the combustion temperature output of about 600°F. The co-grinder may be operated with an exhaust temperature in a rangeof about 175° F. to about 185° F. The dust collector may be operatedwith an exhaust temperature range of about 170° F. to about 175° F.

The process may include a hydration unit. The hydration unit may beoperated to hydrate at least about 80% of the ground product in oneminute or less.

Yet other embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a process for makingand/or using a ground product composition of matter that may include areactor. The reactor may be operated with a reaction temperature rangeof 120° F. to 180° F.

In aspects, each of a guar split and at least one reagent may be fed to,and reacted within, the reactor to form a guar derivative.

The process may include a transfer and treatment section operablycoupled with the reactor. In this respect, the guar derivative may beoptionally treated, and transferred, such as to a co-grinder.

The co-grinder may be operably associated with the transfer andtreatment section. The guar derivative (which may be optionally treated)may be transferred thereto. The co-grinder may also be fed a powderedacid (such as from an acid source). The co-grinder may operate to grindthe guar derivative and the acid together to form a ground product.

In aspects, the ground product may be characterized by (or have thephysical property of) at least 90% by weight of a given quantity thereofhaving an average particle bulk diameter less than or equal to 74microns.

The co-grinder may be operated with an exhaust temperature in a range ofabout 175° F. to about 185° F.

The process may include a vacuum system operably associated with theco-grinder. The vacuum system may include one or more of: a combustionburner, a dust collector, and a blower. In aspects, the dust collectormay be operated as dryer to dry the ground product. The blower may beoperated to pull a vacuum on at least one of the reactors and theco-grinder.

The guar derivative may be formed with the reactor operating with areaction time in the range of 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours.

The process may include a caustic feed source comprising a causticmaterial. The caustic feed source may be in communication with thereactor. The caustic material may be fed to the reactor. The powderedacid may include carboxylic acid.

The process may include one or more mixers, any of which may be inline,static, and so forth. Thus, there may be a first blend mixer. Inaspects, the first blend mixer may be operated to mix the ground productwith an at least one other constituent to form a blend product.

The process may include another or a second blend mixer. The secondblend mixer may be operated to mix either or both of the blend productand the ground product with a water stream. The water stream may have arange of about 100,000 ppm to about 300,000 ppm total dissolved solids(TDS).

In aspects, the ground product may be in substantially dry powderedform.

In aspects, the ground product may be in slurry or liquidious form.

The combustion burner may be operated with a combustion temperatureoutput of about 400° F. to about 700° F. In aspects, the combustiontemperature output may be about 600° F.

The process may include a hydration unit. The hydration unit may beoperated to hydrate at least about 80% of the ground product in oneminute or less.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an overview flow diagram of a process formaking a composition of matter, in accordance with embodiments disclosedherein, is shown. FIG. 1 illustrates a process 100 suitable for making achemical product 128 a/b (a-solid, b-liquidious) that may bepolymeric-based. The product 128 a/b may equivalently be referred to as‘final product’, ‘blend product’, ‘composition of matter’, ‘additive’,and other comparable variations. The composition of matter may be apolymeric-based frac fluid additive.

In this respect the product 128 a/b may be a composition of matter thatincludes a polymer. Although the use of the product 128 a/b is not meantto be limited, the blend product 128 a/b may be suitable for use as anadditive into a water stream (or ‘frac water’) 123, subsequently forminga frac fluid 125. One of skill in the art would appreciate that the term‘frac fluid’ can have a wide meaning, but typically entails a liquidstream—largely water—with various additives added (mixed) therein thatis then pumped or injected into a subterranean formation. In aspects,the product 128 a/b may be added into the water 123. The product 128 a/badded may be in solid (a) or liquid (b) form.

The product 128 a/b may be added into the water stream 123 in any mannerknown in the art, including ‘onsite’ at a surface facility associatedwith a frac operation. The product 128 a/b may be characterized as beinga friction-reducer whereby the resultant frac fluid 125 may havecharacteristics of or otherwise promote lower or reduced friction lossesas compared to what the fluid 125 would be without the product 128 a/b.The product 128 a/b may be characterized as being a viscosity builder,whereby the resultant frac fluid 125 may have greater proppant carryingcapability as compared to what the fluid 125 would be without theproduct 128 a/b. In aspects, the product 128 a/b may be synergisticallycharacterized as being both a friction reducer and a viscosity builder.

j The process 100 has been successfully utilized to make the desirousproduct 128 a/b, which has been unexpectedly found to be a suitable anddesirable alternative to synthetic polymer-based additives especially inthe presence of high brine solutions. Thus, in embodiments, the stream123 may be a high brine solution.

Preliminary Reaction

Preliminary reaction step 104 may include mixing a ‘Split’ (i.e., guargum) 102, like that provided by and made commercially available by theApplicant, with other materials, which may include materials useful forforming a guar derivative 112. As just one example, the split 102 may bereacted with a reagent 108, such as propylene oxide. The reaction step104 may include an aqueous reaction, and thus use water 110, and mayfurther use a catalyst 106 suitable for making guar derivatives, such ascaustic (sodium hydroxide). The reaction step 104 may utilize knownreactive methods and conditions for forming the derivative 112. Inembodiments, the derivative 112 may be hydroxypropyl guar or ‘HPG’,which may be formed from an aqueous reaction between the split 102 andpropylene oxide. The forming of HPG may further include use of sodiumhydroxide.

The reaction step 104 may occur in a batch or continuous process, as maybe desired. Step 104 may include reagents mixed together with heatand/or agitation. Heating may be in the range of about 120° F. to about180° F. The reaction step 104 may produce at least an 80% yield of guarderivative 112. In aspects, the yield of resultant derivative may beabout 80% to about 95%. Residence or batch reaction time may be about 2hours, although the time of reaction may be varied to promote a desiredyield. In embodiments, the reaction time is about 1.5 hours to about 2.5hours. The guar derivative 112 may be of at least 80% purity.

Reaction step 104 may occur in an oxygen-free environment. Thus,reaction step 104 may include a vacuum purge. The reaction step 104 mayoccur in a jacketed pressure vessel.

The guar derivative 112 may be further processed via a secondarytreatment step 114 resulting in treated derivative 118, which may be(although not required) higher purity then derivative 112. ‘Treatment’is not meant be limited in the sense that derivative 112 may be treated,processed, reacted, etc. in whatever manner may be desired or applicablefor process 100. Moreover, the treatment step 114 may include multipletreatments. In a non-limiting example, the guar derivative 112 may beHPG, which may be further washed, and then dried to result in a treatedHPG powder.

In embodiments, derivative 112 may be conveyed to a washing sectionusing bean flow control with a weir overflow. After treatment, theintermediate derivative may be transferred, such as by pumping, toshaker configured with a mesh screen. The shaker may be suitable tode-water and classify the derivative.

The intermediate derivative may be transferred to a second wash. Forexample, by using a weir overflow into a Sharples P-2000 decantercentrifuge containing a discharge beech.

The resultant derivative 118 may be characterized as having a certaindegree of substitution. The amount of reagent 108 may be adjusted toachieve a desired degree of substitution in the derivative 118.

Co-Grinding

The resultant derivative 118 may have a gooey, pasty appearance. Thederivative 118 may be fed (i.e., transferred, pumped, etc.) to aco-grinding step 122 where it may be mixed with another material 120,which may be an acid.

Grinding 122 may occur via a grinder as would be known to one of skillin the art, such as with a Hammermill. In embodiments, derivative 118may be collected and fed via a volumetric feeder into a Pulva Hammermillusing a 0.015 wedgewire screen for a first pulverizing. Co-grinding step122 may be occur in a batch or continuous manner Although co-grindingmay occur in substantially dry conditions, it is within the scope of thedisclosure that some amount of moisture may be present. In embodiments,grinding step 122 may take place in a heated vacuum system. The vacuumsystem may include one or more of a combustion burner, a micropulsairdust collector (suitable for use as a dryer), and a blower (suitable forpulling a vacuum).

‘Co’-grinding in this sense refers to the grinding together of at leasttwo constituents, in this case the derivative 118 and material 120.Although not meant to be limited to any particular material or acid,suitable acid examples include carboxylic acids (saturated orunsaturated), such as acrylic acid (or propanoic acid), and otherorganic acids, such as citric, fumaric, and so forth.

After the grinding step, co-ground product 124 may be dried.

It has been unexpectedly discovered that the co-grinding step 122 may bebeneficial to the overall process 100 and product 128 a/b.

Typically, fast hydration is especially important in oilfieldstimulations, the standard technique being to hydrate a product to fullhydration in a large hydration tank as quickly as possible so as towaste as little product as possible. Rapid hydration also enhances fluidpumping performance. Fast hydrating guars would be advantageous tosimplify the hydration process by eliminating the conventional hydrationunit or minimizing it to a very small volume.

Also, by eliminating the hydration unit or minimizing the size of thehydration unit, better real-time control of the fracturing operationcould be achieved. Also, fast hydrating product 128 a/b could be addeddirectly in water, a brine, etc. as a powder or dispersed in a solventand then added to water or other hydrating fluid such as brine.

With respect to guar, and particularly HPG, HPG is normally reactedunder caustic conditions; the caustic acts as the catalyst for thereaction with propylene oxide. The resultant product is normally washedafter that reaction, but ultimately some caustic remains, which inhibitsthe hydration of HPG.

It has been unexpectedly discovered that co-grinding powdered acid withpowdered HPG may result in a co-ground product 124 having a reduced orlower pH, which may be useful for speeding up hydration rates. Moreover,because acid may be added via step 122, a downstream customer isbeneficially alleviated from having to add acid.

The co-ground product 124 may be ground until a predetermined particlesize. In embodiments, the co-ground product 124 may have an averageparticle bulk diameter whereby at least 90% by weight of a givenquantity thereof passes through 200-mesh screen (comparably ≤74microns). Thus, for example, if 10 lbs. of co-ground product 124 wasprocessed through a 200-mesh screen (which may further be agitated orshaken), at least 9 lbs. of product 124 would pass therethrough. Inembodiments, co-ground product 124 may gravity fall through a polishingmill for a final sizing specification.

Material moisture content of product 124 and general production speedmay be dictated by regulating the combustion exhaust temperature of thecombustion burner. This may occur by addition or extraction of hydratedbean using volumetric feeder speed control.

In a non-limiting example, the vacuum system may have parameters of anaverage operating combustion temperature output of about 600° F., agrinder exhaust temperature in a range of about 175° F. to about 185°F., and a dust collector exhaust temperature range of about 170° F. toabout 175° F.

Powder/Liquid Processing

The resultant product 124, or parts thereof, of the co-grinding step 122may be fed to a processing step 126. Optionally, the co-ground product124 may be further processed or treated via step 126, which may includesettling, washing, drying, wetting, sifting, separating, heating, mixingand any other processing desired to achieve either or both of a dryproduct 128 a or wet/liquidious product 128 b.

The dry product 128 a may be that which has less than 5% moisture. Thewet product 128 b may be organic-based, such as a slurrified mixture ofresultant product 124 and oil. The wet product 128 b may be ahomogeneous mixture of about 40% to about 60% by weight of product 124.

Hydration and Final Product

Either of dry product 128 a and wet product 128 b may be hydrated.

The product 128 a/b may be hydrated upon mixing with water stream 123.The product 128 a/b may have particles of the size according toembodiments herein. In aspects, the individual polymer molecule chainsmay be tangled, folded, and compacted together. Hydration of the product128 a/b may include mixing the product 128 a/b with a liquid such aswater to expand, separate, untangle, and solubilize the polymer chains.As the polymer hydrates, its molecules unfold into long chains. Ingeneral, it may be desirous to hydrate the polymer completely withoutbreaking or damaging the polymer chains with excess shear forces in themixing process in order to achieve the highest degree of desired productcharacteristics.

A particular characteristic of interest is hydration rate. In aspects,the product 128 a/b may be able to be hydrated at least about 80% inabout one minute or less, or “fast” hydrating. The characteristic may betested and evaluated by measuring viscosity. That is, a fluid may betested for viscosity. For example, if a fully hydrated product resultsin a fluid viscosity of about 100 cp, then a product hydrated to about80% would have a viscosity of about 80 cp.

Fast hydrating means a much smaller footprint is needed for a hydratingunit.

As shown the product 128 a/b may be mixed with a water stream 123. Theproduct 128 a/b may be referred to as a composition of matter. The waterstream 123 may be any type of water (e.g., river water, fresh water, seawater, produced water, etc.) suitable for forming the frac fluid 125.Although not meant to be limited, typically the water-additive mixingstep 132 may occur onsite at a frac operation. One of skill wouldappreciate the mixing step 132 may occur via an inline mixer where theresultant frac fluid 125 is immediately injected (pumped) into thewellbore. Just the same, the frac fluid 125 may be maintained in astorage tank. It is within the scope of the disclosure that thecomposition of matter stream 128 a/b may be further processed, treated,etc. prior to the mixing step 132.

The product 128 a/b may have a composition of HPG and acid. Theconcentration of the product 128 a/b (which may be in the form ofliquid, liquidous, slurry, or dry solid) in the frac fluid 125 maydetermine the traits associated with the frac fluid 125. The product 128a/b desired may depend on the salinity of the water stream 123 availablefor the frac operation. In embodiments, the blend 128 a/b may besuitable for a salinity value of the water stream 123 in the range ofabout 100,000 ppm to about 300,000 ppm total dissolved solids (TDS).

Referring now to FIG. 2, a process flow diagram of a system for makingand using a composition of matter, in accordance with embodimentsdisclosed herein, is shown. FIG. 2 illustrates an operative system 200suitable for the process shown in FIG. 1 (and as described in theaccompanying text). Unless expressed otherwise, aspects of system 200may be like that of the process 100, and thus may only be described inbrevity. For example, system 200 may be operated to provide or otherwiseproduce a chemical blend product 228 a/b that may be polymeric-based andlike that of blend 128 a/b. The product 228 a/b may equivalently bereferred to as ‘final product’, ‘composition of matter’, ‘additive’, andother comparable variant nomenclature. However, that is not to say thatsystem 200 may not have differences from that of the process.

The composition may be a polymeric-based frac fluid additive. In thisrespect the product 228 a/b may be a composition of matter that includesa polymer. Although the use of the product 228 a/b is not meant to belimited, the blend product 228 a/b may be suitable for use as anadditive into a water stream (or ‘frac water’) 223, subsequently forminga frac fluid 225. One of skill in the art would appreciate that the term‘frac fluid’ can have a wide meaning, but typically entails a liquidstream—largely water—with various additives added (mixed) therein thatis then pumped or injected into a subterranean formation. In aspects,the product 228 a/b may be added into the water 223. The product 228 a/badded may be in solid (a) or liquid (b) form.

The product 228 a/b may be added into the water stream 223 in any mannerknown in the art, including ‘onsite’ at a surface facility associatedwith a frac operation. The product 228 a/b may be characterized as beinga friction-reducer whereby the resultant frac fluid 225 may havecharacteristics of or otherwise promote lower or reduced friction lossesas compared to what the fluid 225 would be without the product 228 a/b.The product 228 a/b may be characterized as being a viscosity builder,whereby the resultant frac fluid 225 may have greater proppant carryingcapability as compared to what the fluid 225 would be without theproduct 228 a/b. In aspects, the product 228 a/b may be synergisticallycharacterized as being both a friction reducer and a viscosity builder.

The system 200 has been successfully utilized to make the desirousproduct 228 a/b, which has been unexpectedly found to be a suitable anddesirable alternative to synthetic polymer-based additives especially inthe presence of high brine solutions. Thus, in embodiments, the stream223 may be a high brine solution.

Preliminary Reaction

The operation of a reactor 204 may include mixing a ‘Split’ (i.e., guargum) 202, like that provided by and made commercially available by theApplicant, with other materials, which may include materials useful forforming a guar derivative 212 product. As just one example, the split202 may be reacted with a reagent 208, such as propylene oxide. Thereactor 204 may include or be used for an aqueous reaction, and thus usewater 210, and may further use a catalyst 206 suitable for making guarderivatives, such as caustic (sodium hydroxide). The reactor 204 mayutilize known reactive methods and conditions for forming the derivative212. In embodiments, the derivative 212 may be hydroxypropyl guar or‘HPG’, which may be formed from an aqueous reaction between the split202 and propylene oxide. The forming of HPG may further include use ofsodium hydroxide.

The reactor 204 may operate in a batch or continuous process, as may bedesired. The reaction within reactor 204 may include reagents mixedtogether with heat and/or agitation. Heating may be in the range ofabout 120° F. to about 180° F. The product from the reaction withinreactor 204 may produce at least an 80% yield of a guar derivative 212.In aspects, the yield of resultant derivative may be about 80% to about95%. Residence or batch reaction time may be about 2 hours, although thetime of reaction may be varied to promote a desired yield. The guarderivative 212 may be of at least 80% purity.

The reaction within reactor 204 may occur in an oxygen-free environment.Thus, the reactor may include or be operably associated with a vacuumpurge. The reactor may be a jacketed pressure vessel.

The guar derivative 212 may be further processed via a secondarytreatment operation 214 resulting in treated derivative 218, which maybe (although not required) higher purity then derivative 212.‘Treatment’ is not meant be limited in the sense that derivative 212 maybe treated, processed, reacted, etc. in whatever manner may be desiredor applicable for system 200. Moreover, the treatment operation 214 mayinclude multiple treatments. In a non-limiting example, the guarderivative 212 may be HPG, which may be further washed, and then driedto result in a treated HPG powder.

In embodiments, derivative 212 may be conveyed to a washing sectionusing bean flow control with a weir overflow. After treatment, theintermediate derivative may be transferred, such as by pumping, toshaker configured with a mesh screen. The shaker may be suitable tode-water and classify the derivative.

The intermediate derivative may be transferred to a second wash. Forexample, by using a weir overflow into a Sharples P-2000 decantercentrifuge containing a discharge beech.

The resultant derivative 218 may be characterized as having a certaindegree of substitution. The amount of reagent 208 may be adjusted toachieve a desired degree of substitution in the derivative 218.

Co-Grinding

The resultant derivative 218 may have a gooey, pasty appearance. Thederivative 218 may be fed (i.e., transferred, pumped, etc.) to aco-grinder 222 where it may be mixed with another material 220, whichmay be an acid.

Grinder 222 may be a typical grinder as would be known to one of skillin the art, such as with a Hammermill. In embodiments, derivative 218may be collected and fed via a volumetric feeder into a Pulva Hammermillusing a 0.015 wedgewire screen for a first pulverizing. Co-grinder 222may be operated in a batch or continuous manner Although co-grinding mayoccur in substantially dry conditions, it is within the scope of thedisclosure that some amount of moisture may be present. In embodiments,grinder 222 may include or be operably associated with a heated vacuumsystem. The vacuum system may include one or more of a combustionburner, a micropulsair dust collector (suitable for use as a dryer), anda blower (suitable for pulling a vacuum).

‘Co’-grinding in this sense refers to the grinding together of at leasttwo constituents, in this case the derivative 218 and material 220.Although not meant to be limited to any particular material or acid,suitable acid examples include carboxylic acids (saturated orunsaturated), such as acrylic acid (or propanoic acid), and otherorganic acids, such as citric, fumaric, and so forth.

After grinding, co-ground product 224 may be dried.

It has been unexpectedly discovered that the use of co-grinder 222 in aparticular manner may be beneficial to the overall process 200 andproduct 228 a/b.

Typically, fast hydration is especially important in oilfieldstimulations, the standard technique being to hydrate a product to fullhydration in a large hydration tank as quickly as possible so as towaste as little product as possible. Rapid hydration also enhances fluidpumping performance. Fast hydrating guars would be advantageous tosimplify the hydration process by eliminating the conventional hydrationunit or minimizing it to a very small volume.

Also, by eliminating the hydration unit or minimizing the size of thehydration unit, better real-time control of the fracturing operationcould be achieved. Also, fast hydrating product 228 a/b could be addeddirectly in water, a brine as a powder or dispersed in a solvent andthen added to water or other hydrating fluid such as brine.

With respect to guar, and particularly HPG, HPG is normally reactedunder caustic conditions; the caustic acts as the catalyst for thereaction with propylene oxide. The resultant product is normally washedafter that reaction, but ultimately some caustic remains, which inhibitsthe hydration of HPG.

It has been expectedly discovered that co-grinding powdered acid withpowdered HPG may result in a co-ground product 224 having a reduced orlower pH, which may be useful for speeding up hydration rates. Moreover,because acid may be added into the co-grinder 222, a downstream customeris beneficially alleviated from having to add acid.

The co-ground product 224 may be ground until a predetermined particlesize. In embodiments, the co-ground product 224 may have an averageparticle bulk diameter whereby at least 90% by weight of a givenquantity thereof passes through 200-mesh screen (comparably ≤74microns). Thus, for example, if 10 lbs. of co-ground product 224 wasprocessed through a 200-mesh screen (which may further be agitated orshaken), at least 9 lbs. of product 224 would pass therethrough. Inembodiments, co-ground product 224 may gravity fall through a polishingmill for a final sizing specification.

Material moisture content of product 224 and general production speedmay be dictated by regulating the combustion exhaust temperature of thecombustion burner. This may occur by addition or extraction of hydratedbean using volumetric feeder speed control.

In a non-limiting example, the vacuum system may have parameters of anaverage operating combustion temperature output of about 600° F., agrinder exhaust temperature in a range of about 175° F. to about 185°F., and a dust collector exhaust temperature range of about 170° F. toabout 175° F.

Powder/Liquid Processing

The resultant product 224, or parts thereof, from the co-grinder 222 maybe fed to a subsequent processing operation. Optionally, the co-groundproduct 224 may be further processed or treated via operation 226, whichmay include one or more of settling, washing, drying, wetting, sifting,separating, heating, mixing and any other processing desired to achieveeither or both of a dry product 228 a or wet/liquidious product 228 b.

The dry product 228 a may be that which has less than 5% moisture. Thewet product 228 b may be organic-based, such as a slurrified mixture ofresultant product 224 and oil. The wet product 228 b may be ahomogeneous mixture of about 40% to about 60% by weight of product 224.

Hydration and Final Product

Either of dry product 228 a and wet product 228 b may be hydrated.

The product 228 a/b may be hydrated upon mixing with a water stream 223.The product 228 a/b may have particles of the size according toembodiments herein. In aspects, the individual polymer molecule chainsmay be tangled, folded, and compacted together. Hydration of the product228 a/b may include mixing the product 228 a/b with a liquid such aswater to expand, separate, untangle, and solubilize the polymer chains.As the polymer hydrates, its molecules unfold into long chains. Ingeneral, it may be desirous to hydrate the polymer completely withoutbreaking or damaging the polymer chains with excess shear forces in themixing process in order to achieve the highest degree of desired productcharacteristics.

A particular characteristic of interest is hydration rate. In aspects,the product 228 a/b may be able to be hydrated at least about 80% inabout one minute or less, or “fast” hydrating. The characteristic may betested and evaluated by measuring viscosity. That is, a fluid may betested for viscosity. For example, if a fully hydrated product resultsin a fluid viscosity of about 100 cp, then a product hydrated to about80% would have a viscosity of about 80 cp.

Fast hydrating means a much smaller footprint is needed for a hydratingunit.

As shown the product 228 a/b may be mixed with a water stream 223. Theproduct 228 a/b may be referred to as a composition of matter. The waterstream 123 may be any type of water (e.g., river water, fresh water, seawater, produced water, etc.) suitable for forming the frac fluid 225.Although not meant to be limited, typically the water-additive mixingmay occur in a mixer 232, which may occur onsite at a frac operation.One of skill would appreciate the mixer 232 may be an inline mixer wherethe resultant frac fluid 225 may be immediately injected (pumped) intothe wellbore (not shown here). Just the same, the frac fluid 225 may bemaintained in a storage tank (not shown here). It is within the scope ofthe disclosure that the composition of matter stream 228 a/b may befurther processed, treated, etc. prior to being fed to the mixer 232.

The product 228 a/b may have a composition of HPG and acid. Theconcentration of the product 228 a/b (which may be in the form ofliquid, liquidous, slurry, or dry solid) in the frac fluid 225 maydetermine the traits associated with the frac fluid 225. The product 228a/b desired may depend on the salinity of the water stream 223 availablefor the frac operation. In embodiments, the blend 228 a/b may besuitable for a salinity value of the water stream 223 in the range ofabout 100,000 ppm to about 300,000 ppm total dissolved solids (TDS).

Advantages

Embodiments herein advantageously provide for a composition of matterthat has fast hydration characteristics and can also be readily storableand transportable in powder form. Dry HPG is beneficial for frictionreducing in rugged conditions, such as high-brine. Dry HPG as a frictionreducer provides benefits over polyacrylamides, because it can bereadily stored, transported, used, and/or hydrated from its powder form.Hydration need not require large amounts of time or cost-prohibitiveequipment.

Embodiments herein provide for a cost-effective, expedient, and scalableprocess that can be used to make a dry, natural polymer-basedfriction-reducer additive for a frac fluid, particularly for high-brine.

While embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described,modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and teachings of the disclosure. Theembodiments described herein are exemplary only and are not intended tobe limiting. Many variations and modifications of the disclosurepresented herein are possible and are within the scope of thedisclosure. Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated,such express ranges or limitations should be understood to includeiterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude falling within theexpressly stated ranges or limitations. The use of the term “optionally”with respect to any element of a claim is intended to mean that thesubject element is required, or alternatively, is not required. Bothalternatives are intended to be within the scope of any claim. Use ofbroader terms such as comprises, includes, having, etc. should beunderstood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of,consisting essentially of, comprised substantially of, and the like.

Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the descriptionset out above but is only limited by the claims which follow, that scopeincluding all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each andevery claim is incorporated into the specification as an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. Thus, the claims are a further description andare an addition to the preferred embodiments of the disclosure. Theinclusion or discussion of a reference is not an admission that it isprior art to the present disclosure, especially any reference that mayhave a publication date after the priority date of this application. Thedisclosures of all patents, patent applications, and publications citedherein are hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent they providebackground knowledge; or exemplary, procedural or other detailssupplementary to those set forth herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for using a ground hydroxypropylguar-based product composition of matter, the process comprising:providing a water stream; mixing the ground hydroxypropyl guar-basedproduct into the water stream to form a frac fluid blend; and injectingthe frac fluid blend into a subterranean formation.
 2. The process ofclaim 1, wherein the water stream is characterized as having a salinityvalue in the range of about 100,000 ppm to about 300,000 ppm totaldissolved solids (TDS).
 3. The process of claim 1, wherein the waterstream is a slickwater blend.
 4. The process of claim 1, wherein theground hydroxypropyl guar-based product is formed from a reaction thatcomprises use of sodium hydroxide, a reagent comprising propylene oxide,and a powdered acid comprising a carboxylic acid.
 5. The process ofclaim 4, wherein prior to the mixing step the ground hydroxypropylguar-based product is in powdered form.
 6. The process of claim 1,wherein the ground hydroxypropyl guar-based product is characterized byat least 90% by weight of a given quantity thereof having an averageparticle bulk diameter less than or equal to 74 microns.
 7. The processof claim 1, wherein during the mixing step the ground hydroxypropylguar-based product is hydrated at least about 80% in about one minute orless, characterized by the water stream having a higher viscosity thanthe resultant frac fluid blend.
 8. A process for using a groundhydroxypropyl guar-based product composition of matter, the processcomprising: providing a water stream; mixing the ground hydroxypropylguar-based product into the water stream to form a frac fluid blend; andinjecting the frac fluid blend into a subterranean formation, whereinduring the mixing step the ground hydroxypropyl guar-based product isdry at first but then hydrated at least about 80% in about one minute orless, characterized by the water stream having a higher viscosity thanthe resultant frac fluid blend.
 9. The process of claim 8, wherein thewater stream is characterized as having a salinity value in the range ofabout 100,000 ppm to about 300,000 ppm total dissolved solids (TDS). 10.The process of claim 9, wherein the water stream is a slickwater blendcomprising a polyacrylamide.
 11. The process of claim 8, wherein theground hydroxypropyl guar-based product is formed from a reaction thatcomprises use of sodium hydroxide, a reagent comprising propylene oxide,and a powdered acid comprising a carboxylic acid.
 12. The process ofclaim 11, wherein prior to the mixing step the ground hydroxypropylguar-based product is in powdered form.
 13. The process of claim 12,wherein the ground hydroxypropyl guar-based product is characterized byat least 90% by weight of a given quantity thereof having an averageparticle bulk diameter less than or equal to 74 microns.
 14. A processfor using a hydroxypropyl guar-based product, the process comprising:providing a water stream; mixing the hydroxypropyl guar-based productinto the water stream to form a frac fluid blend; and injecting the fracfluid blend into a subterranean formation, wherein during the mixingstep the hydroxypropyl guar-based product is dry at first but thenhydrated at least about 80% in about one minute or less, characterizedby the water stream having a higher viscosity than the resultant fracfluid blend.
 15. The process of claim 14, wherein the water streamcomprises a salinity value in the range of about 100,000 ppm to about300,000 ppm total dissolved solids (TDS).
 16. The process of claim 15,wherein the hydroxypropyl guar-based product is formed from a reactionthat comprises use of sodium hydroxide, propylene oxide, and a powderedacid.
 17. The process of claim 16, wherein prior to the mixing step thehydroxypropyl guar-based product is in powdered form.
 18. The process ofclaim 17, wherein the hydroxypropyl guar-based product is characterizedby at least 90% by weight of a given quantity thereof having an averageparticle bulk diameter less than or equal to 74 microns.